Fence-wire stretcher



(No Model.)

E. H. BAUGH. FENCE WIEBSTRETGHER.

No. 546,575. PatentedSept. 17,1895. ZzzZ minmmnmmm UNITE Z STATES 'ATENT .FFICE.

EDWARD HENRY BAUGH, OF ll-IEXIA, TEXAS.

VFENIC E-Wl RE STRETCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 546,575, dated September 17, 1895.

Application filed February 4, 1895. Serial No. 537,224- CNo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LEDWARD HENRY BAUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mexia, in the county of Limestone and State of Texas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence- Wire Stretchers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide a simple and practically-operating device for stretching fence-wire in the construction of fences and also taking up the slack in the wire when it sags at any point throughout the line of fence, the device being simple in construction and easily connected and disconnected from the post, as

circumstances require. v

The invention consists in a device of the character above referred to which is constructed substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of my improved device, showing it connected to a fence-post andin use in stretch ing the wires in the construction of a fence; Fig.2, a perspective view of the device, showing it in use in joining the ends of a broken fence-wire. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the slotted extension of one of the arms of the bracket and the fence-wire engaging therewith when the bracket is in use for twisting the wire to take up the slack.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a portion of a fence-post, and B one of the fence-wires connected thereto by means of the staple a or by any other well-known means. I

The device which constitutes my invention consists of a bracket vC, said bracket comprising the two parallel arms b c, which are joined by the transverse bar (1. Thearms b 0 form. bearings for the shaft 6, which terminates at one end in a suitable handle D for turning it and at its opposite end has a ratchet-wheel E, with which engages a pivoted pawl E to prevent said shaft turning in an opposite direction. The arm b of the bracket 0 is of greater length than the arm a, so as to bear against the fence-post and form a fulcrum for found best adapted to the purpose.

the bracket when in use, as indicated in Fig. '1 of the drawings.

The bracket 0 is held in contact withthe fence-post by means of the two claws G H, the ends of which are pointed and driven in the post by any suitable means The shanks of the claws terminate in eyes f, by which they are pivoted to the transverse bar at of the bracket by means of the headed bolt g, which passes through the hole h in the bar.

When the bracket is in use, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, it is for the purpose of constructing fences by drawing the wires perfectly tight and then fastening the wires to the post by means of staplesor other like fastenings, the wires being drawn tight by winding around the shaft, as shown. When a wire at any point along the line of fence becomes brokemthe ends, as indicated atI J in Fig. 20f the drawings, may be brought the ends of the wire. nected by means of a rope L, which engages a pin t' on the shaft 6, and'by turning the shaft the rope will be wound thereon and draw the ends of the wire together sufficiently .to join'them by twisting. Any suitable clamps may be employed, and in the present instance I have shown plates having a stationary bearingand a pivoted cam, between which the wire is clamped, al-

though any suitable means, may be substituted so long as it will engage the ends of the wire and form a connection between them and the rope.

The arm b of the bracketO terminates in a slotted extension It, so that the bracket may be used to take up the slack at any point along the fence-wire by forming a twist in the wire. This is accomplished by passing the slotted extension of the arm over the wire, so that it will rest in the slot, and afterward turning the bracket until a twist is made in the wire sufficient to take up the slack, asindicated in Fig.3 of the drawings, the bracket being turned in the direction of the arrow, which will produce the twist in the wire, as shown.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fence Wire stretcher, consisting of a suitable bracket, one arm of which terminates in a slotted extension, a rotary shaft connected to the bracket, a pawl and ratchet conneeting with the shaft, and claws pivotally connected to the bracket, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A fence wire stretcher, consisting of a bracket having two parallel arms, one of which terminates in a slotted extension, aretary shaft having its bearings in the arms, a

pawl and ratchet connecting with the shaft, and claws having their shanks terminating in eyes and pivotally connected to the bracket, substantially as and for the purpose described. 1 5 In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD HENRY BAUGII. Vitnesses:

J. R. BUSH, J. R. D. Lone. 

